May 2026 - Barnoldswick

Saturday 9th May 2026

Barnoldswick, affectionately known as "Barlick," is primarily famous for it's rich industrial heritage, specifically as a center for Rolls Royce Aerospace Engineering (developing jet engines), The home of Silentnight beds and the historic manufacturer of Esse stoves.    Situated in Lancashire near the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, it is known for its independent high street and the working Bancroft Mill Engine Trust.

A walk Lead by John Gobin

13.6 Miles, 1300ft Ascent

We leave the center of Barnoldswick through the streets and into the suburbs heading  South West along Folly Lane and climb up Weets Hill. This is the highest point at 1300 ft. After admiring the lovely views we drop down along the pennine bridleway and onto Coal Pit lane towards Bomber Hill where we could stop for lunch. From there we go through the hamlet of Wedacre and on through another hamlet called Bracewell.

At this point we will be just north of Barnoldswick and head east until we meet Stock beck (A tributary of the Ribble) and walk along side that back into Barnoldswick avoiding the busy streets.

B Walk Lead by Vivian Powell

Weets Hill Loop

Distance: 8 miles (12.9 km)

Elevation: 940 ft (287m)

Description:

The walk starts with a short trek along the main street to a toilet stop, if needed.  We head West through the town centre, pass through Clough Park, up the “forty steps”, past the Bancroft Mill Engine Museum and some residential streets, before eventually getting out onto countryside footpaths and the start of the long climb to the top of Weets Hill.  The recce was completed after a week of fine weather, but there were still some boggy sections, so waterproof footwear and possibly gaiters are recommended, especially if the weather has been wet in the days beforehand.  Most of the climb is steady, but it becomes steeper for the final 0.7 miles nearing the top.  Some fantastic views from the trig point and a welcome break for lunch.  A steady descent follows, passing the Head Sculptures on our way until we eventually cross the B6251, where care is needed as traffic is fairly heavy.  Continuing through fields, we eventually reach the canal, where we follow the towpath via the marina back to town.

Notes:

Toilets are on the route, 350yds from the car park and are free.

The route includes one busy road crossing the B6251, where traffic is likely.

There are not too many stiles on the route, but two of them over walls are tricky, one has no handholds requiring a scramble over the top, and the other is quite high with very small footholds; care and agility are needed for both.

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C Walk lead by Mike & Helen

4 Miles

The C walk is a circular walk of approximately 4 miles long and takes us to the lower slopes of Weets Hill, giving panoramic views over Barnoldswick. We start the walk in Barnoldswick centre and walk along the road before entering into the local countryside. Unfortunately,, we couldn't find any flat walks so we do have to go gradually uphill but we are rewarded with fabulous views at different points. We can take our time and make our way up slowly as we will have plenty of time. There is some walking through fields and there are muddy patches so walking boots and poles if you have them are advised. There are few stone and wooden stiles but nothing too challenging and the terrain varies throughout. It really is a walk that is about the tremendous views. Whilst it is a little shorter than usual it is a good, fairly easy walk and very enjoyable. We deviate slightly from the map towards the end of the route to avoid doubling back.

April 2026

April - 2026

Saturday 11th - Ruthin

A walk Lead by Brian Thorne

11.5 miles with 1800 ft of climbing.

This is quite a challenging walk, with some lengthy steep ascents and descents. However, on a clear day, the views are wide ranging and beautiful making it well worth the effort to tackle it. Some of the lower paths can be quite wet and muddy, so once again I would strongly recommend the wearing of gaiters if you have them.

Leaving Ruthin, our route takes us up past the school and onto farmland tracks and paths which lead gradually up to Ty’n-y-groesffordd and the open countryside at Terian. Now the real climbing begins with a steep ascent up the grassy track and on to the car park and viewpoint at Bwlch Penbarras. An initial steady climb on the Offa’s Dyke path gradually steepens, and leads us on to our high point of the day, the summit of Moel Famau and our lunch stop at the ruins of the Jubilee Tower.

Staying with the now steeply descending Offa’s Dyke path for a little longer, we then branch of and down to farmland once again, to reach the road at Plas Draw. Unfortunately, the onward path from here has been ploughed and planted, and even though it is a public right of way it is quite impassable, leaving us no option but to take a 1.5 mile road walk to reach the river Clwyd. A lovely riverside path then leads us on for the final two mile stretch and back into Ruthin.

B Walk Lead by Andrew Phillips

Distance Approx 7 miles. Total ascent Approx 950ft.

The walk commences at the Craft Centre, on the edge of the town centre, and follows the town centre by-pass for a short distance, before joining a footpath, heading north west out of the town.

Crossing the main A525, the route crosses several fields, climbing steadily, and in places fairly steeply, before descending into the valley of the Afon Clywedog. Crossing the river by a footbridge, we will join a path which ascends the valley for approximately 2 miles, before descending to the village of Bontuchel. Opportunities for suitable lunch stops are very limited, but here we might make use of a bus shelter with seating.

Passing through the village, our route joins a path which climbs steeply through fields, passing Woodlands Hall Caravan Park and a number of farms, before joining a lane which leads back into Ruthin, where we can go through the town centre and back to the start.

When I recced the route there were number of sections which were very muddy, so appropriate footwear is essential, as it is unlikely that it will have dried out much in the interim. Also, there are a number of stiles, some of which are difficult due to poor condition, demanding some agility.

C Walk lead by Pay Guy

5.5 Miles, 500ft Ascent

Our walk this month is to the market town of Ruthin in North Wales and the C party walk, after coffee, will start with a short stretch along a road before turning into fields which are thankfully not too muddy. We will follow the fields for just over a mile and then follow the River Clywedog to the village of Rhewl. The return to Ruthin is a nice easy walk following the River Clwyd all the way. The walk is about 5.5 miles in length and 500 feet of ascent.

Hopefully we will have a bit of time to explore Ruthin on our return as there is a castle, now a hotel, an indoor market, a craft centre and a Gaol.

March 2026

March 2026

Saturday 14th - Grassington

A walk Lead by Peter Hitchcock

11 Miles & a several hundred ft of Ascent

Welcome to the 1^st route of the new season starting from the lovely Yorkshire Dale village of Grassington.  From the car park (with its free toilets) we descend down a short path for a quick glimpse of Linton Falls – in full flood after all the rain we’ve had this winter.  We can’t linger long as we have nearly 11 miles to go and we start eastwards along the Dales Way to just short of Hebden where we cut up North to enter Hebden Beck which is very pretty and will take us up on to the moors passing many old lead mine workings.   We peak at an old mine chimney flue at about 1200’ which will afford us a lovely 360º view if the weather is good.  Ideally, this will be our lunch spot but that will rely on the group maintaining a good walking pace thus far!

We then head westwards across the moor to another ‘iconic’ local area landmark – Bare House – before heading downhill back to the pub!  I have tried to stick to hard track wherever possible but, inevitably, there will be some unavoidable muddy sections with many streams in full flow.  So, good footwear is essential and gaiters an optional bonus.  There is not a lot of climbing as it’s the Dales but, at 11 miles, it will be a challenging season opener which WILL require a good pace throughout, particularly as it will probably be a latish start at about 1030.  Anything earlier will be a bonus but please be warned and prepared.  Thank you.

B Walk Lead by Andrew Phillips

Distance 8.5 miles approx.. Ascent 1,000ft approx..

From the car park at the National Park Visitor Centre (public toilets available,

20p voluntary donation), we will go up through the town centre and join a

single track lane – Moor Lane, which ascends for approx. 11/2 miles onto

Grassington Moor. My recce included a loop over the top of the moor through

the old lead mining area, but I have decided to omit this part in order to keep

the distance to reasonable limits.

We then descend along a track – Dukes New Road (probably named after the

Duke of Devonshire) – and cross a few small streams, before entering the

valley of Hebden Ghyll, down which runs Hebden Beck, a tributary of the River

Wharfe. The path leads down to the village of Hebden, joining the road

through the village, down into Wharfedale, where we will join the Dales Way

along the river back into Grassington, taking in the sight of Linton Falls on the

way. Crossing the streams mentioned above may be slightly tricky if there has

been much rain, so good footwear is desirable.8 Miles,   900ft Ascent

C Walk  .....